Career Story: Evgenia Ostrovskaya, KiwiSecurity

November 17, 2015

Professional MBA Marketing & Sales alumna

What stages in your life have had the greatest impact on you and why?

First, that my work experience made me understand what I want to do in my life, and second, giving birth to my daughter. Spending time with her at home gave me an opportunity to reflect. That completely changed my understanding of work, business and life. The two of us walked in the park for hours, and suddenly I saw everything from a different perspective. I learned how to break down a big task into many small ones and everything started to look simple as a whole. As a result, I was ready for any project when I came back to work.

Did you originally want to pursue a career in a different field? If so, why is it that nothing has come of your plans?

Initially, I planned to be a software developer, but after working as one for three years, I came to realize that I needed to work in customer service delivery, as I really wanted some social activity during my working hours… Also, I understood that my strongest trait is to resolve things quickly and move forward. In development, you need a lot more patience.

How and why did you come to work for KiwiSecurity?

After I decided to leave the field of software development to start from scratch in “I didn’t know what”, I applied for the position of international sales assistant at MV – Ofisnaya tekhnika. Looking at my CV, their HR decided differently, and so I got into Quality Assurance and Support as a junior assistant. Only two months later, I was promoted to the position of department leader, with eight engineers working under me. In that function, I worked very hard for a year. My working day was approximately 15 hours. I then began to ask myself whether my life was passing me by. Even though I loved my work, I decided to change jobs in order to strike a better balance in my life. This job has taught me how important it is to treat your team fairly and to ensure that you and all members of your team achieve a good work-life balance. After leaving MV – Ofisnaya tekhnika, I went to work at Axxonsoft as a quality assurance engineer. Over a 12-year period, I changed positions several times, always assuming greater responsibility within the company. The last position I held there was Business Development Director Europe and Africa. These regions were already on a good track when I got an offer from KiwiSecurity to accept an even bigger challenge in the field of global business development.

What has changed in your career as a result of your MBA degree? How did the program support you in reaching your career goals? 

The MBA has given me a thorough theoretical knowledge of many business aspects and fields, which makes your daily work and communication a lot easier, as you understand others better. The MBA has also given me complete confidence and trust in my own instincts and decisions.

What has been your biggest professional/personal success?

I believe my biggest and best success is yet to come and is still on its way. Till now, it is the fact that I am in a position where I can add value to my company and that I love my job at the same time.

What are your goals for the coming year?

Professionally, my goal for this year is to expand and grow my distribution network and structure the tools and key performance indicators for my channels. My personal goal for this year is to improve my German. My general goal is to always get better at everything I do. I also want to read more and always learn something new. I believe that in this century the ability to learn defines success and who we are and who we become.

What do you consider a “great luxury”?

My vacation and free time.

What was the last book/movie you really enjoyed?

The Good Lie directed by Philippe Falardeau, 2014.

How would you characterize your philosophy of leadership? Has it been influenced by a leadership role-model? 

To help but not to interfere. I always resolve issues right away and never avoid problems. 

Also, I recently heard a quote by Sir Richard Branson, who said: “Train people well enough that they can leave; treat them well enough that they don’t want to!” 

How do you recharge your batteries when you are not pursuing your demanding career?
I love spending time with my family. Moreover, I go skiing, attend events at the Golden Hall of the Musikverein, go to the opera and frequently visit museums around Vienna. 

If you could change places with anyone for a day, who would it be?
I would change places with myself as a child — on one of those days during the summer holidays by the river…

 

Why would you recommend the Professional MBA of the WU Executive Academy? What did you like the most?

The MBA program offers a great combination of disciplines, teachers and international fellow students, which allows you not only to acquire a thorough understanding of theoretical fundamentals but also to learn from everyone in the room and the different mentalities and  opinions that they bring to the table.